Wilmington DUI Records
Wilmington DUI records are filed through the New Hanover County court system and the Wilmington Police Department. Wilmington is the largest city on the North Carolina coast and serves as the county seat of New Hanover County. DWI court cases from Wilmington are handled at the New Hanover County Courthouse on Princess Street. The Wilmington Police Department maintains police-level arrest reports and operates a P2C portal for public access. This page shows you how to search for DUI records in Wilmington and get copies of the documents you need.
Wilmington DUI Quick Facts
Wilmington Police DUI Records
The Wilmington Police Department handles DUI arrests within the city limits. WPD headquarters is at 615 Bess Street, Wilmington, NC. The Records Division can be reached at (910) 343-3640 for questions about police reports, incident data, and DUI arrest records. For non-emergency assistance, call 910-343-3600.
When a WPD officer makes a DUI arrest in Wilmington, the arrest report and incident details are processed through the department's records system. The department employs more than 250 sworn officers who handle crime prevention, law enforcement, and traffic enforcement across the city. DUI-related crash reports and incident reports are available through the Records Division.
In-person access to police reports requires a valid ID. Visit WPD headquarters at 615 Bess Street during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Reports available include incident reports, crash reports, and daily bulletins. Some reports may be redacted to protect victim privacy or ongoing investigations. The department operates through Administration, Patrol, and Support Operations divisions.
The Wilmington Police Department provides public access to search police records and get crash reports. The department offers around-the-clock access to certain law enforcement records. The WPD jurisdiction covers the city limits of Wilmington. Incidents outside city limits may fall under the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office or the State Highway Patrol.
Note: The WPD closed its Southeast Patrol Station at 2451 College Road in January 2024 due to building condition concerns, so records requests should be directed to the main headquarters location.
New Hanover County DUI Court Records
All DUI cases from Wilmington go through the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court at 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. The clerk's phone number is (910) 772-6600. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Jan Kennedy serves as the Clerk of Superior Court.
New Hanover County is part of the 5th Judicial District. The District Court handles misdemeanor DWI charges, traffic violations, and cases under $25,000. The Superior Court handles felony DWI cases and appeals. Court records can be accessed through public terminals at the courthouse by searching defendant name, case number, or witness name. Paper files may also be accessed by visiting the clerk's office.
Copy fees follow G.S. 7A-308. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $3.00 per document plus copy fees. Criminal record checks cost $25 per name. The New Hanover County District Attorney's Office at the courthouse prosecutes criminal DUI cases in the county.
The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office at 3950 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429, phone (910) 798-4200, maintains arrest records and operates the county detention facility. The Sheriff's Office inmate lookup shows current detainees with booking details, charges, bond amounts, and next court dates. For warrant information, contact the Warrants Division at (910) 798-4162.
How to Search Wilmington DUI Records
There are multiple ways to find DUI records in Wilmington. Police arrest reports come from WPD. Court case records come from the New Hanover County Clerk of Court. Here is a breakdown of the options.
- Visit the courthouse at 316 Princess Street and use free public access terminals
- Call the clerk at (910) 772-6600 for a criminal record search at $25 per name
- Use the NC Court Records Portal for basic case data online
- Contact WPD Records at (910) 343-3640 for police arrest reports
- Check the Sheriff's Office inmate search for recent DUI bookings
The New Hanover County criminal records guide provides detailed information about record types, retention periods, and access procedures. Criminal records typically include arrest details, court case data, disposition records, and sentencing information. Felony case files are maintained permanently or for 20 years. Misdemeanor files are kept for 5 to 10 years. DUI arrest reports are retained for 20 years.
Free online resources for DUI record searches include the NC Court System Public Case Search, the New Hanover County Sheriff's inmate lookup, and the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. For background checks through the Sheriff's Office, the fee is $15 per name. The NC SBI charges $14 for name-based checks or $38 for fingerprint-based checks.
DWI Laws in Wilmington
DWI in Wilmington follows G.S. 20-138.1. The 0.08 blood alcohol limit applies to all drivers age 21 and over. Commercial drivers face a 0.04 limit. Impairment from drugs, prescribed medication, or any other substance can also lead to a DWI charge. Officers may use breath tests, blood draws, or field sobriety tests to build the case.
Sentencing follows the framework in G.S. 20-179. The six-level system ranges from Level Five to Aggravated Level One. Prior DWI convictions are a grossly aggravating factor. A pretrial license revocation under G.S. 20-16.5 begins at arrest. Refusing a chemical test triggers a separate revocation under G.S. 20-16.2. Habitual DWI under G.S. 20-138.5 applies to anyone with three or more DWI convictions in ten years and is a Class F felony. License restoration follows G.S. 20-19.
Getting Wilmington DUI Copies
For court records, visit the New Hanover County Courthouse at 316 Princess Street during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued ID. Criminal record searches cost $25. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $3.00 per document plus copy fees. Mail requests should include a check or money order.
For police reports, contact WPD Records at (910) 343-3640 or visit headquarters at 615 Bess Street. The NC SBI provides statewide criminal background checks. The NC Courts website has a full guide to requesting court records by mail from any county in North Carolina. The expunction page explains when DWI charges may be removed from a record under limited circumstances.
New Hanover County DUI Records
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. All DUI court proceedings go through the New Hanover County court system. The county is part of the 5th Judicial District, which also covers Pender County. For the full county guide on DUI record access, court fees, and contact details, visit the New Hanover County DUI records page.